As the daughter of a rancher in 1840s Mexico, Nena knows a thing or two about monsters—her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that drains men of their blood and leaves them for dead.
Something that once attacked Nena nine years ago.
Believing Nena dead, Néstor has been on the run from his grief ever since, moving from ranch to ranch working as a vaquero. But no amount of drink can dispel the night terrors of sharp teeth; no woman can erase his childhood sweetheart from his mind.
When the United States attacks Mexico in 1846, the two are brought abruptly together on the road to war: Nena as a curandera, a healer striving to prove her worth to her father so that he does not marry her off to a stranger, and Néstor as a member of the auxiliary cavalry of ranchers and vaqueros. But the shock of their reunion—and Nena’s rage at Néstor for seemingly abandoning her long ago—is quickly overshadowed by the appearance of a nightmare made flesh.
And unless Nena and Néstor work through their past and face the future together, neither will survive to see the dawn.
Firstly, can we just admire how beautiful the cover of this book is? It really sucks you in and perfectly sets the mood for a horror story set northern Mexico/southern Texas. I want it as a poster on my wall.
This story was so richly told. It was easy to see the chaparral of Mexico, the multi-layered hoop skirt dresses of the late 1840s, the horses and vaqueros in their chivarras, smelling of dirt and sweat. It was such an exciting setting and perspective.
The relationship between Nena and Néstor when they were children had me highly anticipating their reunion years later, and it did not disappoint! You could feel the love and hope they had at thirteen, and I ached for the future they saw together knowing it wouldn’t happen that way (not a spoiler because that’s the whole synopsis of the book—he thinks she’s dead so he leaves then he finds out she’s alive years later).
The vampires were both expected and unexpected, taking the form of monsters known and unknown. I loved getting to see that perspective from a BIPOC author. They were also rich in regional folklore which always makes the story feel more real. Look up El Cuco sometimes, it’s an interesting folklore tale (and also where our American tradition of Jack-o-Lanterns stems).
I greatly enjoyed that both of the main characters are flawed, and that their flaws don’t just disappear upon being reunited. They held each other to such high standards and both reacted poorly when reality showed its true colors. I feel like it makes them both better heroes because they’re not just overcoming the monsters with their knowledge, bravery, and strength, they’re fighting against their own misconceptions of themselves and each other.
I vastly enjoyed this story, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a vivid, cultural, spooky read!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (loved it)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (mild)
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